Eric Miller (“I”, “me”, or “my”) operates the website ericmiller.net (the “Site”), a WordPress blog. This Privacy Policy explains how I collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information when you visit the Site or subscribe to my newsletter. I am committed to GDPR compliance for EU/EEA visitors.
Information Collected
I collect minimal personal data necessary for Site operation and newsletter services.
Newsletter Subscriptions: Email address and optionally name via WordPress forms. This enables sending blog updates.
Comments: Name, email, and comment content if you post on blog articles (stored in WordPress database).
Automatically Collected: IP address, browser type, device info, and usage data via WordPress logs and standard analytics (no third-party trackers like Google Analytics).
Cookies: Essential WordPress cookies for functionality; no advertising cookies.
No payment or sensitive data is collected.
How Data is Used
Personal data supports core Site functions:
Delivering newsletters with blog content.
Moderating and displaying comments.
Improving Site performance and security.
Complying with legal obligations.
Data is not sold or shared for marketing. Newsletter emails include unsubscribe links for easy opt-out.
Legal Basis and Consent
Processing relies on:
Consent: For newsletters (double opt-in where enabled; revocable anytime).
Legitimate Interest: For comments and Site analytics.
Legal Obligation: GDPR compliance.
GDPR protections are active via WordPress plugins. EU visitors can request data access, rectification, or erasure.
Data Sharing and Third Parties
Data is shared only as needed:
Third Party
Purpose
Details
WordPress Hosting
Site hosting/database
Provider offers GDPR DPA; data stored in US with safeguards.
Newsletter Service
Email delivery
Newsletter is through Kit (formerly CreativeKit). Users consent via form.
Legal Authorities
Compliance requests
Only if required by law.
No international transfers without adequacy decisions or clauses.
Data Retention
Newsletter data: Until unsubscribed or requested deletion.
Comments: Indefinitely unless deleted; anonymized after 12 months inactivity.
Logs: 30 days for security.
Your Rights (GDPR)
EU/EEA residents have:
Access, correction, deletion (“right to be forgotten”).
Objection to processing, data portability.
Withdraw consent (impacts newsletter delivery).
Email me@ericmiller.net with requests. Response within 30 days. Complaints to supervisory authority (e.g., your local DPA).
Essential
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
Name
Description
Duration
wpconsent_preferences
This cookie is used to store the user's cookie consent preferences.
30 days
Comments
These cookies are needed for adding comments on this website.
Name
Description
Duration
comment_author
Used to track the user across multiple sessions.
Session
comment_author_email
Used to track the user across multiple sessions.
Session
comment_author_url
Used to track the user across multiple sessions.
Session
Statistics
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website.
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager
1 minute
_gac_
Contains information related to marketing campaigns of the user. These are shared with Google AdWords / Google Ads when the Google Ads and Google Analytics accounts are linked together.
90 days
__utma
ID used to identify users and sessions
2 years after last activity
__utmt
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests
10 minutes
__utmb
Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
30 minutes after last activity
__utmc
Used only with old Urchin versions of Google Analytics and not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session.
End of session (browser)
__utmz
Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js javascript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Anaytics server
6 months after last activity
__utmv
Contains custom information set by the web developer via the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
2 years after last activity
__utmx
Used to determine whether a user is included in an A / B or Multivariate test.
18 months
_ga
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gali
Used by Google Analytics to determine which links on a page are being clicked
30 seconds
_ga_
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gid
ID used to identify users for 24 hours after last activity
24 hours
WooCommerce Sourcebuster
SourceBuster is used by WooCommerce for order attribution based on user source.
Name
Description
Duration
sbjs_session
The number of page views in this session and the current page path
30 minutes
sbjs_udata
Information about the visitor’s user agent, such as IP, the browser, and the device type
session
sbjs_first
Traffic origin information for the visitor’s first visit to your store (only applicable if the visitor returns before the session expires)
session
sbjs_current
Traffic origin information for the visitor’s current visit to your store
session
sbjs_first_add
Timestamp, referring URL, and entry page for your visitor’s first visit to your store (only applicable if the visitor returns before the session expires)
session
sbjs_current_add
Timestamp, referring URL, and entry page for your visitor’s current visit to your store
session
sbjs_migrations
Technical data to help with migrations between different versions of the tracking feature
session
Children’s Privacy
No services for under 16s. Data from minors is deleted if discovered.
Security
Data protected by WordPress security (HTTPS, firewalls, updates). No system is 100% secure.
Changes to Policy
Updates posted here with date change. Major revisions emailed to subscribers. Continued use implies acceptance.
Contact
Questions? Email me@ericmiller.net.
This policy complies with GDPR Article 13/14. For custom needs, consult a lawyer.
Cookie Consent
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site, you consent to cookies.
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager
1 minute
_gac_
Contains information related to marketing campaigns of the user. These are shared with Google AdWords / Google Ads when the Google Ads and Google Analytics accounts are linked together.
90 days
__utma
ID used to identify users and sessions
2 years after last activity
__utmt
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests
10 minutes
__utmb
Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
30 minutes after last activity
__utmc
Used only with old Urchin versions of Google Analytics and not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session.
End of session (browser)
__utmz
Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js javascript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Anaytics server
6 months after last activity
__utmv
Contains custom information set by the web developer via the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
2 years after last activity
__utmx
Used to determine whether a user is included in an A / B or Multivariate test.
18 months
_ga
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gali
Used by Google Analytics to determine which links on a page are being clicked
30 seconds
_ga_
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gid
ID used to identify users for 24 hours after last activity
24 hours
SourceBuster is used by WooCommerce for order attribution based on user source.
Name
Description
Duration
sbjs_first
Traffic origin information for the visitor’s first visit to your store (only applicable if the visitor returns before the session expires)
session
sbjs_current
Traffic origin information for the visitor’s current visit to your store
session
sbjs_first_add
Timestamp, referring URL, and entry page for your visitor’s first visit to your store (only applicable if the visitor returns before the session expires)
session
sbjs_current_add
Timestamp, referring URL, and entry page for your visitor’s current visit to your store
session
sbjs_migrations
Technical data to help with migrations between different versions of the tracking feature
session
sbjs_session
The number of page views in this session and the current page path
30 minutes
sbjs_udata
Information about the visitor’s user agent, such as IP, the browser, and the device type
